Wokingham

Over £1,000 has been raised by young people in the Wokingham district for a memorial bench and plaque in memory of two teenagers who died tragically last year. And it was unveiled at a special ceremony on April 29 following a fundraising Tribute event.

Youth workers from Wokingham District Council’s youth service had been meeting with more than 15 young people every week at Wokingham Baptist Church to help organise the Tribute event in remembrance of teenagers Twood Nadauld and Steven Bayliss.

The evening was a resounding success with over 250 young people witnessing local bands Tainted Folk, Space Between and Order of playing a selection of songs. Magic man Lee Edgecombe, aged 15 from Finchampstead, also entertained the crowds with a selection of tricks. The closing number saw the young people who organised the event get on stage and sing 'Wonderwall' by Oasis. It was a song that they all used to sing last summer and it means a great deal to all of them.

It was during their initial planning meetings that young people spoke to youth workers about having a permanent memorial for the teenagers. The first memorial bench was donated by Wokingham Town Council and is located at Redlands Farm Park near Evendons Lane. And, enough money was raised at the Tribute event to purchase an additional memorial bench, which they hope will be placed at Leslie Sears playing field in Wokingham.

Adam Couchman, aged 17, said: “The memorial bench is a way for all the community to be able to reflect and remember two of the greatest people that I had the pleasure of knowing and loving.”

Sally-Ann Brooks, youth worker at Wokingham District Council, said: "As youth workers, both Nat Sharpe and I assisted the young people in achieving their goal to have a memorial bench to remember their friends by. Their commitment to accomplish their target has been second to none. The project has pulled the group closer together and shown what fine young adults they are turning out to be."

Also attending the unveiling ceremony was Wokingham district council chairman Cllr Iain Brown. He said: “The Tribute event and memorial benches were something that the young people wanted to do in memory of their two friends. They have been the driving force behind this and they should be extremely proud of what they have achieved. The benches will be a lasting memory and fitting tribute to two much loved and missed young people.”

Clare Hooper, minister of The Wokingham Baptist Church said: “We've been working alongside the young people since September and we felt that it was important to support the young people and their idea for a gig as a tribute to their friends. They're a fantastic group with loads of creativity, talent and vision and we think that the church should provide a safe space and opportunities for them to develop their gifts.”

Chief inspector Tony Ismay, Wokingham LPA commander at Thames Valley Police, said: “The young people have shown great initiative in raising money to commemorate the lives of their friends.

“It is fitting that they have driven this initiative forward and created a lasting memory of two friends who have clearly had a huge impact on their lives.”

Wokingham District Council